SuburbanOneSports.com recognizes a male and female featured athlete each week. The awards, sponsored by Univest, are given to seniors of good character who are students in good standing that have made significant contributions to their teams. Selections are based on nominations received from coaches, athletic directors and administrators.
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Female Athlete (Week of Oct. 17, 2012)
Mention the name Saige Wenik to Melanie Rowland, and the Upper Moreland coach thinks of guts and determination. In the swimming pool and in the goal cage. The Upper Moreland senior’s determination was underscored last winter when she was battling health issues but simply refused to stay out of the pool. Wenik not only gutted it out when she was under the weather, she remained steadfast in her resolve to earn a spot in districts in the 50 freestyle. “This is a kid who didn’t swim regularly for a good month,” said Rowland, the UM swim coach. “Not only did she do it, she slammed the time, and when she got to districts, she dropped even more time. She’s quiet, but she’s one of my leaders because of her example, because of her determination, because of her dedication. She’s really been fun to coach.” Swimming is Wenik’s passion, and she has qualified for districts in each of her three years on the varsity. She also was part of the 4x100 free relay that advanced to states when she was a sophomore.
In the fall, Wenik, who also runs track, plays field hockey and was a four-year starter in goal for the Golden Bears. “She is always trying to get better,” coach Karen Grossi said. “She does a nice job communicating with her teammates, trying to get them in the right spots. If and when the ball goes in, her first thought is, ‘What can I do to make sure that doesn’t happen again? She’s not happy that we’re scored upon and lose, but she keeps working to make sure a goal like that doesn’t go in again, and she makes sure the team stays in it.” The Golden Bears won just one game this year, but Wenik’s performances have not gone unnoticed. “I actually heard an official turn around during the same and say to Saige, ‘I know the score doesn’t reflect it, but you’re doing a great job,’” said Rowland, who also is an assistant hockey coach. “This is not unusual because officials have come to me and said, ‘You have a great goalie.’”
Sports are just the tip of the iceberg for Wenick, who has been taking dance lessons for the past 12 years. For the past seven summers, she has attended teen leadership conferences through the YMCA and this past summer was selected to be on the junior staff. A member of the National Honors Society, her course load consists of all honors and AP classes. She also is a member of student council, key club and the yearbook staff. Wenick, who plans to swim at the collegiate level, hopes to attend college in Washington, D.C., and major in politics with the goal of working on Capitol Hill and then attending law school.
To read Wenik’s complete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/female/saige-wenik-0029342
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Male Athlete (Week of Oct. 17, 2012)
Soccer is in Tim Ko’s blood, and the Wissahickon senior has been playing for as long as he can remember. The senior captain is the glue that has holds this year’s SOL American Conference championship Trojan squad together, the oil that makes the engine run smoothly and the rock that provides a steady presence. “One of the things we like about him is he’s not a stereotypical character,” Wissahickon coach Stuart Malcolm said. “He leads by example. He’s someone we can talk to the younger players (about) and say, ‘Look here’s someone who has worked hard, worked his way through the program and is playing an important role.”
Ko came up to the varsity squad as a junior in the middle of the 2011 season and didn’t get much playing time. This year he has played every minute of every game. Ko, whose primary position is right back, epitomizes the idea of a team player. “He basically does anything we ask him to do, whether it’s center or the midfield role, because of injuries, he’s like, ‘Whatever you want me to do coach,’” Malcolm said. “Technically, skill-wise he’s improved a lot over the years. He’s a good defender, and he can also get forward and deliver the ball and work on the outside to midfield.” Ko said he is willing “to do what I have to for the team.”
Off the soccer field, Koe is a straight-A student who is a member of the National Honors Society. He has served on student council and is president of the Asian Studies Club. He has been involved in the Future Business Leaders of America. During the summer, through his church, he went on a mission trip to Kazakhstan to help an orphanage. He plans to pursue a career in engineering, and his potential college list includes Georgia Tech, Michigan and Penn State.
To view Ko’s complete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/male/tim-ko-0029358
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